The Okere of Sakiland, HRM, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Oyedepo III, has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N265 billion for the reconstruction of the Iseyin–Ipapo–Baasi–Saki–Ilesha Baruba Road, a major federal highway linking parts of Oyo and Kwara states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Palace Media, the monarch described the approval as a historic milestone that would significantly improve transportation, enhance economic activities, and accelerate socio-economic development across Oke-Ogun and neighbouring communities.
Oba Oyedepo noted that the approval marks the successful outcome of years of advocacy by traditional rulers, community leaders, stakeholders, and other well-meaning individuals who consistently appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the strategic road. The monarch stated that the palace had remained steadfast in its engagements and reassured the people that sustained advocacy would eventually yield positive results.
According to the royal father, the reconstruction of the road will ease the movement of people and goods, improve access to markets, reduce travel time, and strengthen commercial ties between Oyo and Kwara states.
The monarch commended President Tinubu for demonstrating commitment to infrastructure renewal across the country, describing the road approval as evidence that the administration is attentive to the developmental needs of the people.
The project forms part of 27 road projects valued at over N3.9 trillion recently approved by the Federal Government across 15 states, covering Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe.
Among the approved projects are the N276 billion dualisation of the Ilorin–Ogbomoso Road, the N217 billion dualisation of the old alignment from Ijaye to Ilorin Road with a spur to Akinmorin, the N110 billion Ogbomoso–Oko–Illupu Road, the N98 billion Idi-Araba–Ayede–Olodo Road, the N82 billion rehabilitation of the Igbeti Road, and the N74 billion construction of the Igbeti–Soro–Kishi Road.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, also announced that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway, valued at N137 billion, has been completed, while work on the remaining 164-kilometre section is expected to be concluded by November.
He urged residents of Sakiland and the entire Oke-Ogun region to continue supporting government initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and national development. He expressed optimism that the reconstruction of the Iseyin–Ipapo–Baasi–Saki–Ilesha Baruba Road would open a new chapter of economic growth, investment, and prosperity for the region.